VALENTINE'S STORY

 

Valentine's Story

History tells that there are two martyrs named Valentine. One of them was born in 175, near Rome, where he was consecrated bishop. At that time, Valentine fought against the orders of Emperor Claudius II, who had forbidden marriage during the wars because he believed that singles were better combatants.

Valentine continued celebrating weddings even with the bans. He was later discovered, arrested, and sentenced to death, but while in prison, many young people offered him flowers and tickets saying they still believed in love.

According to legend, in prison, Valentine became friends with the jailer's daughter, who was blind and cured her of blindness.

Origin of Valentine's Day

The Catholic Church decreed Valentine's Day as Valentine's Day during the 5th century, with the aim of encouraging couples who intended to continue with marriage as a "legitimate" way of forming a family.

The Church's intention was to replace the traditional Roman festival Lupercalia - which consisted of the veneration of the goddess of fertility and marked the beginning of spring - with Valentine's Day. Thus, gradually, the peoples of Europe began to replace the unholy celebration with the holy day.

However, at the end of the 18th century, the Catholic Church removed Valentine's Day from the religious calendar, as there was no concrete historical evidence of the saint's existence. Despite this, the date remained a popular celebration.

Currently, the remains of St. Valentine rest in the church of Santo Antão in Madrid.